This is a field which holds great promise for future diagnostic techniques and equipment, conceived and developed through a close interaction between physicists, engineers, chemists, biologists and clinicians. In particular there is great potential arising from long-term work in non-invasive analysis and diagnosis of a range of child and adult diseases.

Specific research areas include Selected Ion Flow Tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) for the trace gas analysis of breath and urine Medical photonics Medical diagnostics (including the use of biosensors, imaging and metabolic screening, the role of biominerals in neurodegenerative brain diseases) The applications of mass spectrometric methods to the understanding of complex biological systems in human health and disease Early detection and monitoring of lung disease (optical coherence tomography, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy). The Lung Research programme incorporates a multidisciplinary approach of cell pathology, molecular biology and bioengineering (see also Clinical Science: Respiratory disease).